Which type of seismic wave travels only through solid rock and is completely stopped by liquid layers such as the Earth's outer core?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Secondary waves, commonly known as S-waves, are transverse seismic waves that propagate strictly through solid elastic media and are completely absorbed by liquid layers such as the outer core. Primary waves can travel through both solids and liquids, while surface waves like Rayleigh and Love waves propagate along the Earth's crust. Misconceptions involving P-waves fail because those compressional waves easily pass through the liquid core. The S-wave shadow zone confirms the liquid state of the Earth's outer core.